1 Thess 2:1-12 "Spiritual Leadership Displayed"

Joe

Welcome.

Joe and Kerry here with our next online Bible Study in 1 and 2 Thessalonians: “Balanced Encouragement”

We will be in 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12. We’ve titled this “Spiritual Leadership Displayed”

Right now, if at any time, we are all looking for strong leadership in our lives.

From our government

From our bosses

From our spouses

From our health care providers

We are in a time right now where Leadership is craved for and yearned for.

Would you agree?

But what is leadership?

Simply put, leadership is “inspiring influence.”

It’s the ability to light a fire in people’s hearts and minds that motivates them to do things they never thought possible.

In a family and marriage, good leadership can leave a legacy of strong character.

One common thread runs through the fabric of all great leaders: their ability to get along well with people.

Relationships are more important to good leadership than temperament, technique, and intelligence.

This is something that Paul illustrates for us in the first twelve verses of 1 Thessalonians chapter 2.

Let’s read 1 Thess 2:1-12

1 Thessalonians 2:1–12 CSB

1 For you yourselves know, brothers and sisters, that our visit with you was not without result. 2 On the contrary, after we had previously suffered and were treated outrageously in Philippi, as you know, we were emboldened by our God to speak the gospel of God to you in spite of great opposition. 3 For our exhortation didn’t come from error or impurity or an intent to deceive. 4 Instead, just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please people, but rather God, who examines our hearts. 5 For we never used flattering speech, as you know, or had greedy motives—God is our witness— 6 and we didn’t seek glory from people, either from you or from others. 7 Although we could have been a burden as Christ’s apostles, instead we were gentle among you, as a nurse nurtures her own children. 8 We cared so much for you that we were pleased to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us. 9 For you remember our labor and hardship, brothers and sisters. Working night and day so that we would not burden any of you, we preached God’s gospel to you. 10 You are witnesses, and so is God, of how devoutly, righteously, and blamelessly we conducted ourselves with you believers. 11 As you know, like a father with his own children, 12 we encouraged, comforted, and implored each one of you to live worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.

— 2:1-2 —

1 Thessalonians 2:1–2 CSB

1 For you yourselves know, brothers and sisters, that our visit with you was not without result. 2 On the contrary, after we had previously suffered and were treated outrageously in Philippi, as you know, we were emboldened by our God to speak the gospel of God to you in spite of great opposition.

Paul begins chapter 2 by referring to the past.

Paul had only spent five or six weeks with his readers, yet the church he had planted in Thessalonica was still thriving a year later.

The Holy Spirit continued to move among the people in Thessalonica to disciple them to become the contagious witness they were in their region.

Paul also sent Timothy later to visit them and continue the work of teaching that he had begun there.

Paul then turns their attention to a slide show of memories—reminders of things from their past that affected their present.

Notice how often he refers to things the Thessalonians already knew because of past experiences.

These words serve as mementos of the past, not to obsess over it but rather to let the past motivate them.

“You yourselves know” (2:1)

“After we had already suffered and been mistreated in Philippi, as you know” (2:2)

“We never came with flattering speech, as you know” (2:5)

“For you recall, brethren” (2:9)

“You are witnesses” (2:10)

“Just as you know” (2:11)

What was it he wanted them to remember?

Above all, he wanted them to know that his coming to them “was not without result” (2:1).

The actual word should be vain...

The Greek word for “vain” means something that’s empty, lacking purpose or earnestness.

But Paul’s visit had purpose and meaning; it had accomplished more than he had hoped.

Remember, they had come in a lowly—perhaps even mangled—condition from Philippi, where they had been severely mistreated.

Despite the fact that they were Roman citizens, Paul and Silas had been publicly stripped, flogged, and thrown into prison without a trial, remember what we read in Acts 16:19-24.

Yet even amidst this terrible opposition, they pressed on through the hardship and preached boldly in Thessalonica (1 Thes. 2:2).

Instead of pressing on to Thessalonica from Philippi, Paul and Silas could have turned around and headed to port, setting sail back to Antioch with their scars of defeat still throbbing.

They could have felt disqualified or at least unqualified by the rejection they had received from the Romans and city officials in Philippi prior to heading to Thessalonica.

But instead they knew something great leaders learn sooner or later:

-Disabilities need not disqualify.

-Some of the best leaders come from a scarred past.

-Pain, suffering, brokenness, mistakes, and setbacks—these things can teach us patience, perseverance, compassion, and hope—essential components of effective leadership that become examples to others.

— 2:3-6 —

1 Thessalonians 2:3–6 CSB

3 For our exhortation didn’t come from error or impurity or an intent to deceive. 4 Instead, just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please people, but rather God, who examines our hearts. 5 For we never used flattering speech, as you know, or had greedy motives—God is our witness— 6 and we didn’t seek glory from people, either from you or from others.

There are some things you don’t want to have in your life as a leader.

Kerry and I see at least four negatives in these verses—each mined from Paul’s appeals to the Thessalonians with a leadership style that intentionally avoids these traits.

If we’re to serve as leaders in our families and sphere of influences, we need to take note of these things and immediately remove them from our lives.

Kerry

First, Paul wasn’t deceptive (2:3).

He didn’t show up at their doorsteps wheeling and dealing with a wink in his eye and a trick up his sleeve.

He was no charlatan, no sweet talker, no half-truth teller.

Without any ulterior motives, Paul spoke to the Thessalonians with integrity.

This is a portrait of somebody who was completely sincere.

He had a simple heart, a pure mind.

Paul was a “what-you-see-is-what-you-get” kind of person.

No hidden agenda, no manipulation.

Second, Paul wasn’t a people pleaser (2:4-5).

That doesn’t mean he went out of his way to offend people whenever he had the chance.

It means he didn’t engage in insincere flattery to get his way.

Simply put, flattery and people-pleasing are signs of insecurity.

Those are people who want to sit on the fence, be liked by both sides, and hold off on making decisions to see which way the crowd seems to be leaning.

Paul said that he “never came with flattering speech” (2:5).

He determined, in word, action and deed, to please God alone.

Galatians 1:10 says, “For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.”

Paul’s strategy needs to be ours: Do what’s right before God and let people think what they want.

Third, Paul wasn’t greedy (2:5).

With God as his witness, who alone can see a person’s heart, Paul swore that he, Silas, and Timothy had not preached to the Thessalonians “with a pretext for greed” (2:5).

Greed isn’t just the desire to have more.

It’s the desire to have more . . . and more . . . and more . . . and more. . . .

When taken to an extreme, greed becomes the root of envy, jealousy, and covetousness—longing to have what belongs to others.

And it isn’t just money and possessions.

We can become spotlight hogs—always wanting the spotlight on us.

We can nurture greed for accomplishments, for numbers, for power and influence, for fame.

Through self-control, greed can be put down, resulting in pure motives and a leadership style that works.

Joe

Finally, Paul wasn’t authoritarian (2:6).

As an apostle who had been handpicked by Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit to perform astonishing miracles, and acknowledged as an authority by other churches, he had a right to first-class treatment.

Instead, he served the Thessalonians with humility.

He didn’t seek glory from men nor play the “apostle” card.

Abusing authority is a particularly powerful temptation for parents because their children tend to place them on a pedestal or they feel that since they are the adult, it’s “Do as I say, not as I do!”

And who doesn’t like to be looked up to?

But this kind of authoritarian style can lead to rudeness, dictatorial methods, loss of respect and a loss of accountability.

When that happens, the clock starts ticking toward a family and/or marriage explosion and collapse.

Paul’s work among the Thessalonians shows us how we should lead in our own families today.

Paul asserts that he and his partners did not minister by coercion with deception, flattery, greed, or arrogance.

Instead, like Paul, we need to lead with honesty, transparency, generosity, and humility.

— 2:7-11 —

1 Thessalonians 2:7–11 CSB

7 Although we could have been a burden as Christ’s apostles, instead we were gentle among you, as a nurse nurtures her own children. 8 We cared so much for you that we were pleased to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us. 9 For you remember our labor and hardship, brothers and sisters. Working night and day so that we would not burden any of you, we preached God’s gospel to you. 10 You are witnesses, and so is God, of how devoutly, righteously, and blamelessly we conducted ourselves with you believers. 11 As you know, like a father with his own children,

Having warned against a handful of negative traits to avoid as those called to be examples to others,

Paul moves on to some positive traits of a leader that bring glory to God and blessing to those in our care.

Kerry

First, Paul was sensitive to needs (2:7).

Paul and his companions weren’t rough or insensitive to the Thessalonians; they were gentle, like a nursing mother caring for her children (2:7).

There’s nothing selfish in a mother’s role.

Instead, mothers are in a constant state of giving of themselves to their children.

Paul gently and tenderly cradled those infant believers in Thessalonica, nourishing them with the food of God’s word (1 Pet. 2:2).

He selflessly committed himself to understanding their hopes and fears so he could meet their genuine needs.

Second, Paul had great affection for people (1 Thes. 2:8).

The Thessalonians had become precious to him.

He loved them with strong brotherly love.

They could get close to him.

Unlike some leaders who maintain a safe distance from those over whom they’ve been placed, Paul didn’t guard his personal space and didn’t cling to a strictly professional relationship.

He was all about loving people and providing for their needs—spiritually and physically.

Third, Paul modeled transparency and authenticity (2:8-10).

Paul not only shared with the Thessalonians the truths of the gospel message, but he also lived out the gospel in the everyday of his own life.

It didn’t take long for the new believers and even unbelievers to see his authenticity and find that attractive.

He labored hard to live out the principles he was preaching among them.

Only leaders whose actions match their message have the power to motivate others.

Fourth, Paul exhibited enthusiastic affirmation (2:11).

Parents or coaches will understand the kind of exhorting, encouraging, and imploring Paul had in mind when he reminded the Thessalonians of his enthusiastic affirmation among them.

Like a parent rooting for their child, Paul and his associates cheered on the newest members of the church. And did they need it!

They had been spiritually beaten black-and-blue, hassled and jostled by both Jews and Gentiles.

How easy it would have been to drag themselves off the field and onto the sidelines.

But Paul’s loving, fatherly affirmation urged them on.

That’s effective leadership: enthusiastically coaching the “family” toward a goal even when they felt beaten down and defeated.

By reflecting on his work at the church in Thessalonica, Paul highlighted four positive elements of effective spiritual leadership that should be emulated in our ministries today: sensitivity to needs, affection for people, authenticity of life, and enthusiasm in affirmation.

Joe

— 2:12 —

1 Thessalonians 2:12 CSB

12 we encouraged, comforted, and implored each one of you to live worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.

What is the ultimate goal of these things? Toward what objective was Paul trying to lead the Thessalonians?

Well, it wasn’t so that they would have the largest church in Macedonia.

It wasn’t so that they would gain the greatest reputation or manage the biggest budget.

The point of it all is much nobler and more important than that.

It was so that the Thessalonian Christians would “walk in a manner worthy of the God” who called them into His kingdom (2:12).

Paul’s leadership style focused on the benefit to those he served—that they might follow the Lord and enjoy His presence forever.

He didn’t let himself get distracted by tertiary matters that weren’t related to his purpose.

Everything he avoided—from deception to authoritarianism—and everything he embraced—from sensitivity to needs to enthusiastic affirmation—was meant to strengthen the Christian walk of those he was called to lead.

Let’s Take This Home...

The realm of responsibility is the home, a classroom, a church, or a business, three pieces of essential advice gleaned from 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12 will help all of us adopt a leadership style that works—guaranteed.

First, develop inner security.

By looking inward, I don’t want to imply that you seek personal strength and motivation within yourself. Our strength and motivation must come from Christ. But for effective spiritual leadership, you need inner security to accomplish the tasks before you. You need confidence in His calling, assurance of His equipping, and conviction about His purpose and goal. These things will keep you from becoming a people-pleaser. You’ll be able to avoid the powerful temptations of flattery and manipulation.

Second, commit to excellence.

Refuse to lower the bar or fudge on the standards of life, marriage and family. You need to be committed to excellence in everything you do, no matter how hard it gets. Even if you’re alone in the pursuit of excellence, that commitment can influence others to follow the same path. Discern the leadership vision God has for you in your particular circle of responsibility and follow it with unswerving passion.

Third, maintain a deliberate faith.

That means embracing a practical faith. Don’t turn to faith only after everything else has failed. Start with faith. Take your first steps with prayer. Deliberately decide that you’ll leave room for the living God in your life, that Christ will indeed reign supreme, that you’ll depend on the Spirit’s power rather than on your own strength. This means exercising patience, self-control, and restraint, giving God room and time to act on your behalf.

With your heart in focus and your gaze set unwaveringly on your goal of a godly walk—both for you and for those you influence—you can carry out Paul’s positive, practical leadership in your life.

Let’s pray…